6 touching stories behind the 2019 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend

The 26th annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend kicks off with more than 100,000 athletes and spectators expected to attend this year.

The races kick off Thursday, Jan. 10 with the 5K race. The 10K race takes place Jan. 11. The Half-Marathon on Jan. 12 and the Marathon on Jan. 13.

Among the thousands of runners participating are those participating on behalf of a cause, as a triumph over adversity or simply as a celebration.

While we can’t share the thousands of stories out there, here are the stories of six runners planning to participate in Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events:

Tampa man running 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge despite undergoing aggressive chemo treatments

Last year, after Ron Wertley of Tampa, Fla., participated in the 48.6-mile Dopey Challenge in the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. A trip to the doctor revealed he had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a very aggressive form of cancer.

He was given a 40 percent chance of survival. He started a grueling and aggressive chemotherapy regimen and after months many rounds of chemo, Wertley went into remission in July. The doctors cleared him to again run the Dopey Challenge this week.

Unfortunately, in late December, the cancer returned. But Wertley is determined to still do the Dopey Challenge before starting the aggressive chemo treatments again, which will begin with a 30-day hospital stay after the races this week.

Colorado woman who ran to raise money for cancer patients now battling her own cancer

Deb Armstrong of Colorado used to run races to raise money for cancer patients on behalf of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. But now she finds herself needing support after being diagnosed with cancer in late 2017.

After spending all of 2018 undergoing chemo, the same people she ran with to help cancer patients banded together to help her, pooling their personal money to send Armstrong back to the Walt Disney World Marathon because she couldn’t afford it on her own because of her medical bills.

Indianapolis Army Veteran uses running to cope with medical challenges and combat injuries

Eric Donahoe of Indianapolis, Ind. has experienced many challenges throughout his military career and at home in his personal life.

In 2006, his wife and fellow veteran miscarried at seven months pregnant, while he was deployed as a scout sniper in Iraq. In 2009, after returning to Iraq, he was hit by a roadside bomb and sustained head and neck injuries. He was diagnosed with traumatic brain issues.

Donahoe medically retired in 2009, but struggled to adjust to life back at home. His wife not only miscarried several more times, but she was also diagnosed with cancer. He lost two friends from his military service to suicide. Soon, he began to have dark thoughts of his own, but reached out to veterans programs and sought out counseling.

Donahoe ultimately got into running as a means to cope with life’s challenges, and is participating in the Walt Disney World 5K to continue his journey towards good health.

Miami woman, inspired by her ailing son, overcomes spinal surgery to participate in Walt Disney World 5K

Arlen Martinez’ son was born with serious medical issues, having been diagnosed with Amniotic band syndrome. He was born without a left thumb or radial bone, a clubbed left hand and a cleft palette.

Shortly after his birth, Martinez herself was diagnosed with cancer. The Miami, Fla. mother underwent a spinal cord surgery as part of her treatment. She was told she may never walk again, but Martinez would have not of that. She defied her diagnosis and is participating in the Walt Disney World 5K.

Motivated by the deaths of her family members, Winston Salem woman embarks on crusade

When she was 7-years-old, Ja’Net Adams of Winston Salem, N.C., lost her father to a heart attack. She also lost her aunt and uncle to heart disease. As an adult, Adams launched a program at her church to help her fellow church members avoid the same fate through better eating habits, increased exercise and weight loss.

To date, she has significantly helped several church members avoid heart disease and, perhaps, saved their lives. Now, she is running in the Walt Disney World 5K to raise awareness for the prevention of heart disease and other ailments.

St. Louis teen participating in Disney World 5K after asthma nearly plunged him into a life of inactivity

Jeremiah Boothe of St. Louis, Mo. was born with severe asthma and had been unable to do any sort of physical activity. He struggled to even walk up one flight of steps, leading to him being ostracized and teased at school.

But through a new asthma management program, he is now able to do physical activity and is even on the football team. He is now running in the Walt Disney World 5K – his first-ever 5K race – as a triumph over his asthma.